Cynthia's Ideal (1903)

Cynthia's Ideal, written by Adeline Sergeant and published in 1903, is a novel that explores the themes of love, marriage, and societal expectations in Victorian England. The story follows the titular character, Cynthia, a young woman who is torn between two suitors: the wealthy and charming Lord Henry Lessingham and the kind and devoted Doctor Richard Redmayne. As she navigates her feelings for both men, Cynthia must also confront the expectations placed upon her as a woman in Victorian society, including the pressure to marry for wealth and status rather than love.Throughout the novel, Sergeant presents a nuanced portrayal of Cynthia's struggles, highlighting the complexities of love and the societal pressures that can make it difficult to follow one's heart. The novel also touches on themes of class and status, as Cynthia must contend with the expectations of her upper-class family and the limitations placed upon her as a woman of her time.Overall, Cynthia's Ideal is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that offers a glimpse into the social mores and expectations of Victorian England, while also exploring timeless themes of love, identity, and self-discovery.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.